Consultancy – Baseline UK AidDirect Project Jobs – Farm Africa

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Organization: Farm
Africa
Funding Source: UK AidDirect
Duty Station: Uganda
Reports to: Project
Coordinator

About US:
Farm Africa is an international
non-governmental organization working to end hunger and bring prosperity to
rural Africa. We work to increase the incomes and improve food security of
smallholder farmers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and forest dwellers in
East Africa. A core part of our strategy is to ensure that our interventions
are both economically sustainable and scalable. The systematic integration of
market linkages in implementing programmes is crucial to our ability to scale
our interventions cost-effectively.

Terms of Reference for Baseline Evaluation of
Livestock for Livelihoods (UK AidDirect) Project
List of Acronyms
Used:

  • CAHW – Community Animal
    Health Worker
  • FGD – Focus Group Discussion
  • HH – Household
  • KAP – Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • L4L – Livestock for Livelihoods
  • LLF – Linear Log Frame
  • MLP – Monitoring and Learning Plan
  • RPSM – Regional Programme Support Manager
  • OCAT – Organisational Capacity Assessment Tool
  • VSLA – Village Saving and Loan Associations

About the Project:
Pastoralists in Karamoja (Uganda) and South
Omo (Ethiopia) experience poverty, poor access to services and social marginalisation.
Pastoralist women in South Omo and Karamoja are affected by a
‘double-marginalisation’ of social exclusion and low status. Women’s lack of control
over productive assets contributes to severe malnutrition. However emerging
market economies are stimulating livelihood diversification and trade,
presenting opportunities to address poverty and malnutrition through women’s
economic empowerment. Women play a key role in managing small livestock in
pastoralist systems.
Goats provide an essential source of
disposable income, particularly during dry seasons because of their adaptable
feeding habits. Goats also provide a source of protein and nutrients and an
asset for investment in household nutrition. However the following challenges
exist to production and women’s ability to translate productivity into economic
and nutritional gains:
1)     
Vulnerable production
systems due to changing climate, land use change and a lack of pastoralist
knowledge leading to livestock losses.
2)    
Weak livestock services
due to inadequate technical knowledge and integration of CAHWs
3)    
Women’s lack of control
of assets and influence in decision making with respect to livestock assets.
4)    
Poor household nutrition
practices due to a lack of knowledge
Livestock for Livelihoods (L4L), funded by UK
Aid Direct adds value to past and present programmes in the two countries that
have focused on increased community assets and government capacity to improve
resilience. L4L will address the need of marginal communities affected by
vulnerable production systems, weak livestock service provision, women’s low
economic status and underlying causes of malnutrition through four principal strategies:
1)     
Strengthened resilient
pastoralist systems – L4L will promote improved livestock husbandry, livestock
asset building and fodder management embedded within local NRM institutions.
2)    
Building market systems
for livestock services – Private veterinary service networks, livestock
extension and veterinary drug/improved species supply with an extensive reach
beyond target Women’s Livestock Group members will be established.
3)    
Women’s economic
empowerment – Enterprise development and enhanced market linkage, based on
local value chain analysis, will support women’s ability to secure economic benefits
from livestock.
4)    
Improved nutrition
through behavioural change – Improved knowledge and practices relating to
household nutrition will be leveraged from women’s enhanced status in household
decision-making.
The project seeks to reduce poverty and
increase women’s economic empowerment among 15,000 households by addressing the
underlying causes of malnutrition among children under 5 years and adolescent
girls and women of reproductive age, through increased livestock productivity,
livestock marketing and behavioural change. To achieve this, the project has
the four following objectives against which the project success will be judged:
1)     
Increased productivity of
small livestock
2)    
Increased access to and
quality of livestock services and inputs
3)    
Increased economic
empowerment of women
4)    
Improved dietary
diversity of women and children
2. Baseline Objectives
This baseline survey is being commissioned in
order to provide a detailed assessment of the situation in the project
implementation areas. A robust baseline study will provide the project with the
ability to define the values for the baseline indicators, set outcome and
output targets, inform beneficiary selection, and propose any changes to the
project design before project activities are initiated based on evidence-based
recommendations. The baseline survey will form the basis for the final
evaluation and therefore needs to consider the requirements of the final evaluation,
in particular DFIDs AID Direct reporting requirements.
The sample population for this study will be livestock pastoralists in
the project counties/districts. This baseline study will help establish the
baseline values for the following impact, outcome and output indicators:
Goal: Poverty and
malnutrition reduced in Ethiopia and Uganda among women contributing to SDG 1
and SDG 2
  • Number of women living in extreme poverty
    in targeted areas contributing to SDG1
  • Number of women having access to safe,
    nutritious and sufficient food all year round in the target areas
    contributing to SDG2 – Household Dietary Diversity Index (HDDI)
Impact: Increased
income & reduced malnutrition among women and children and increased access
to livestock services for 21,000 households
  • Average income of women livestock herders
    secured from livestock
  • Average Household Dietary Diversity Index
    (HDDI)
Objective 1: 10,000
women livestock herders in pastoralist communities increase production of goats
and goat products
  • Outcome Indicators:
    • Annual change
      in average goat herd size of HHs (disaggregated by MHH/FHH)
    • Annual change
      in average goat milk production among women livestock herders (lts)(disaggregated
      by MHH/FHH)
    • Areas under
      improved fodder management (ha)
Objective 2: 11,000
pastoralists and agro-pastoralist access improved livestock and breeding
services and veterinary drug supply
  • Outcome Indicators:
    • Number of
      pastoralists and agro-pastoralists accessing private veterinary services
      annually (disaggregated by gender)
    • Number of
      pastoralists and agro-pastoralists accessing breeding services annually (disaggregated
      by gender)
Objective 3: 15,000
women in pastoralist communities have improved opportunities for livestock
sale, income generation and values addition
  • Outcome Indicators:
    • Women’s
      economic empowerment score
    • Access to
      finance of female livestock herders
Objective 4: 10,000
households in pastoralist communities with improved dietary diversity
  • Outcome Indicators:
    • Average dietary
      diversity of Women (HDDI)
    • Average dietary
      diversity of children (HDDI)
    • Number of women
      adopting improved feeding practices
Farm Africa will use the baseline review to refine the project design. To
enable this, demographic data for the project implementation area will be disaggregated
at a minimum by demographic categories (in particular gender), and location.
The study should seek to produce data that is representative of the target
population to enable both a deep understanding of the current situation in the
project implementation area, and to subsequently be able to measure the impact
of the project on the implementation area at project close, and monitor project
progress throughout the duration of the project.
3. Approach and
Methodology
The project implements a routine monitoring system based on a Linear Log
Frame (LLF) approach and corresponding monitoring and learning plan (MLP) to
collect data against key outcome indicators.
The lead consultant is expected to develop the overall approach and
methodology for the multi-country baseline. An associate consultant will be
hired in Ethiopia to assist with adjustments to the local context and to
conduct the exercise in Ethiopia.
The consultant is expected to employ a mixed-methods approach, using a
variety of data collection and analysis techniques for both quantitative and
qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive evaluation exercise. The majority of
data collection tools will be provided by Farm Africa to ensure that they align
with Farm Africa standards. This will include, at a minimum:
  • Document and systems review: Review of
    existing documentation, including:project proposal; findings from FGDs;
    gender analysis and SWOT analysis of livestock services conducted as part
    of the project design process
  • Household survey: Household structured survey
    questionnaires with a representative, random sample of target population,
    to assess household income (Farm Africa tool provided), dietary diversity
    (Farm Africa tool provided), and other indicators
  • Women’s Economic Empowerment Survey: A subset of the
    household survey respondents should also complete this survey (Farm Africa
    tool provided)
  • Nutrition Practices Survey: A subset of the
    household survey respondents should also complete this survey (Farm Africa
    tool provided)
  • Key Informant Interviews: Consultations
    with key project stakeholders, including field staff and partners.
    Guidance on appropriate stakeholders will be provided by field and Country
    Office staff.
The methodology should state for the various data collection techniques
how it will handle the multi-country nature of this project. The final
evaluation will need to estimate the aggregate impact of the project and therefore,
the baseline study will need to standardise both the data collection tools and data
collected to enable this. The methodology should also state how it will handle
the different situational and cultural contexts found in Karamoja and South
Omo. The methodology should disaggregate the data by location and gender as
appropriate, and build gender analysis into the study. The baseline study
should also assess contextual factors which may affect both the baseline
indicators and project results and approach.
4. Expected
Deliverables and Timeline
All written documentation is to be submitted in English using Microsoft
Word insoft copy. The main body of all reports should be written in simple,
non-technical language, with any technical material to be presented in annexes.
All primary data collected and analysis conducted for the purpose of the study
will remain the property of Farm Africa and must be submitted electronically
and in a clear and comprehensible format in Excel; further detail below.
The study should begin on Monday 9th April with the evaluator(s)
expected to take a total of 50 working days from the day of contracting
to complete the assignment.
The consultant will provide the following deliverables to the baseline
manager within the timeframe stated:
  1. Inception Report: within 5 working days of contract
    start date, a detailed report on the consultants proposed approach to the study
    will be submitted for approval. This will provide a detailed description
    of the methodology and tools, research questions, expected outputs, budget
    with a breakdown of costs and detailed work plan for the entire exercise. Any
    draft data collection tools will also be submitted for review at this
    stage.
  2. Revised Inception report: within 15
    working days     of contract start date incorporating revisions and
    recommendations from Farm Africa.
  3. Preliminary Report and Presentation: within 40
    working days     of contract start date, the consultant will present the
    preliminary findings for discussion at a stakeholders’ workshop. This will
    constitute two separate workshops, one in Ethiopia, one in Uganda, each
    led by one consultant. At the end of the workshop, a report incorporating
    comments by stakeholders and, where necessary, responses will be submitted
    to the baseline manager.
  4. Final Report: within 50 working days of contract
    start date, a detailed report of the overall findings of the baseline
    study will be submitted for approval. This report should incorporate
    specific, practical and feasible recommendations for improving project
    delivery and impact based on learning from project design, implementation
    and delivery. The main body of the report will contain an Executive Summary
    of no more than 3 pages including a table of indicators, outline and rationale
    for methodology, the main findings and analysis, and any subsequent project
    design and measurement recommendations. Any data collection tools and
    sampling frames used should be included as Annexes.
  5. A copy of the raw data, (every single
    survey response to every question) and clearly labelled, without
    calculations or amendments, preferably in excel. A copy of the ‘cleaned’
    data and all workings used in analyses, again, preferably in excel. Other
    software use is acceptable, however clear workings must be supplied;
    please confirm with Farm Africa prior to contract signature the format you
    intend to supply the data in.
5. Management and Implementation
Responsibilities
The lead consultant will report directly to the baseline manager, Farm
Africa Regional Programme Support Manager (RPSM). However, s/he will also be
expected work closely with the Ethiopia Country Director and Uganda Country
Representative. Any proposed changes to the personnel listed in the application
must be approved by Farm Africa.
Farm Africa will provide:
  • Guidance and technical support as
    required throughout the baseline study;
  • Copies of all key background resources
    identified;
  • Introductory meetings with key government
    staff;
  • Organisation (including logistics costs) of
    stakeholders workshops
  • Comments and feedback on, and approval of,
    all deliverables within agreed timeline.
In addition, Farm Africa will recruit the associate consultant, based in
Ethiopia and in charge of the implementation of the data collection and
analysis in Ethiopia.
The lead consultant will be responsible for:
  • Developing the detailed methodology for
    the multi-country baseline;
  • Conducting all data collection, including
    recruitment, training and payment of enumerators as well as all field
    logistics involved in Uganda[1];
  • Overseeing the adaptation of the
    methodology in Ethiopia, as well as the data collection and analysis, by
    providing regular feedback and guidance to the associate consultant in
    Ethiopia and ensure the overall consistency and coherence of the baseline
    as a whole;
  • Analysis of data and reporting on the
    combined analysis (Ethiopia and Uganda) in a clear and accessible format;
  • Regular progress reporting to the baseline
    manager, including responding to any comments or technical inputs wherever
    reasonable;
  • Presenting preliminary findings at stakeholders
    workshop in Uganda;
  • Production of deliverables within agreed
    timeline and in accordance with quality requirements of evaluation
    manager;
  • Seeking comments and feedback from Farm
    Africa, through the evaluation manager, in sufficient time to discuss and
    incorporate these into the final report;
  • Production of the final evaluation report
    containing data against all indicators in the project logframe for both
    countries, evidence-based responses to the key evaluation questions,
    summary of lessons learnt and recommendations for future implementation of
    both project and evaluation in both countries;
  • Their own work permit or visa (if
    required) to conduct the work;
  • Obtaining the relevant permissions for
    conducting the research.
6. Farm Africa Evaluation
Principles
Farm Africa follows five basic principles of sound evaluation practice
and the consultant is expected to adhere to these throughout the evaluation
process. These are:
  1. Confidentiality and informed consent – all data
    collected during the evaluation will be treated as confidential and cannot
    be shared outside of Farm Africa. All respondents must be advised as such
    and always given the opportunity not to participate, or to terminate or
    pause the interview at any time. The purpose of the study should also be
    clearly explained before commencing any interviews.
  1. Independence and impartiality – Farm Africa
    is committed to impartial and objective evaluation of our projects. All
    evaluation findings and conclusions must be grounded in evidence.
    Researchers are expected to design data collection tools and systems that
    mitigate as far as possible against potential sources of bias.
  2. Credibility – Farm Africa is committed to learning
    based on credible evidence. The credibility of evaluations depends on the
    professional expertise and independence of evaluators and full
    transparency in the methods and process followed. Evaluations should
    clearly distinguish between findings and recommendations, with the former
    clearly supported by sound evidence. Methodologies should be explained in
    sufficient detail to allow replication, and evidence of failures should be
    reported as well as of successes.
  3. Participation – the views and experiences of
    beneficiary households, groups and partners should form an integral part
    of all evaluations.
  4. Openness – To maximise the learning potential of the
    evaluation process, Farm Africa may publish full evaluation reports or
    excerpts from them or may otherwise share them with interested parties.
7. Qualifications
and Required Competencies
We are looking for a lead consultant to manage the baseline study to be
based in Uganda for the duration of the baseline study, and an associate consultant
based in Ethiopia. This advert is solely for the lead consultant role, to be
based in Uganda, and for implementation costs in Uganda only. The role of associate
consultant in Ethiopia will be advertise locally, on the English version of the
Reporter newspaper; any firm or team of consultants with fitting profiles for
both roles is encouraged to apply to both positions and can reference the
complementary person they are applying with as the team. Applications from consultancies
will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the following qualifications
and competencies:
Essential
  • Extensive experience in carrying out baseline
    studies, with a focus on livelihoods-related interventions
  • Demonstrable academic and practical
    experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodology
  • Strong analytical, facilitation and
    communication skills
  • Excellent reporting and presentation
    skills
  • Fluency in spoken and written English
  • A Master’s degree in Agriculture, Animal
    Science, Gender Studies, Sustainable Development, Economics or related
    subject
  • Experience conducting baseline studies or
    evaluations for multi-country projects
  • Experience conducting studies in Uganda
  • Right to work in Uganda
  • Experience securing research approvals in
    Uganda
Desirable
  • Candidates with demonstrable academic and
    practical experience in Animal Science (Livestock), and gender will be preferred
  • Academic and practical experience in
    nutrition
  • Previous knowledge of conducting the
    surveys outlined in the methodology
  • Fluency in Karamojong
  • Experience conducting data analysis in
    Microsoft Excel
  • Experience in Ethiopia
Where applicants fail to meet any of the above criteria, for example,
fluency in Karamojong or experience in livestock, gender or nutrition, the
proposal should state how they expect to overcome this e.g. additional team
members, translation services etc.
8. Submission of
Proposals
The consultants or firms are
invited to bid for either one of the following package:
  1. Consultancy
    + all logistical arrangements for the data collection in Uganda
  2. Consultancy
    without logistical arrangements for the data collection
Please note that even when the
logistical arrangements are not included, we still expect the consultant to
plan for the selection and training of the enumerators.
Interested evaluators or firms
are requested to submit:
1.       A covering letter detailing how the
consultancy team meets the required qualifications and competencies
2.      A full technical proposal detailing their
interpretation of the TOR including report structure, proposed methodology, including
sampling for the above data collection methods, indicator definitions and mapping,
work schedule, team member responsibilities
3.      Copies of all relevant Curriculum Vitae
(CVs). Only CVs for the specific individuals that will form the proposed
evaluation team should be included;
4.      A sample of a baseline or evaluation report
for a similar project completed within the last 24 months (this will be treated
as confidential and only used for the purposes of quality assurance);
5.     
Contact details for two references (including one
from your last client/employer).
6.      A full financial proposal, providing a
detailed budget breakdown for the baseline study
7.     
Licences
All documents must be submitted by email to our ‘sealed’ email address tenders@farmafrica.org by Friday, 16th
March 2018 midnight GMT. The email subject line should clearly
indicate ‘Bid for the Livestock for Livelihood Baseline Consultancy’, followed
by the package that the applicant is bidding for (A or B).Failure to include
any of the above documents will result in disqualification from the selection
process. The selection procedure will be a two-stage process.
1. The technical score will be assessed against the following
criteria:
a.      Technical
Proposal
                                                             
i.           
Understanding of the TOR, including project scope
and expected scope of the baseline evaluation – 15%
                                                           
ii.           
Methodology and sampling approach – 40%
                                                                                    
I.           
Indicator definitions and mapping of indicators to
data collection tools – 15%
                                                                                 
II.           
HH survey methodology and sampling – 15%
                                                                              
III.           
Other data collection tools methodology and sampling
– 10%
b.      Comprehensive
workplan and outline of consultant responsibilities – 15%
c.       Qualifications
of the consultants involved in the evaluation (based on both covering letter
and CVs) – 20%
d.      Quality of
sample report submitted – 10%
2. Only technical scores of higher than 70% will proceed to the next
stage, the assessment of the financial criteria. The financial proposal will be
scored in the following way:
    1. Total Price
      (Proximity to Farm Africa’s expected cost) – 50%
    2. Accuracy of
      Pricing – 50%
                               
i.           
Accurate reflection of the technical proposal – 18%
                             
ii.           
Reasonableness of unit costs – 16%
                           
iii.           
Reasonableness of number of units – 16%
3. Once the financial proposals have been assessed the technical and
financial scores will be combined into a final score in accordance with the
following weights:
•        
Technical Score (70%)
•        
Financial Score (30%)
The different packages will be assessed separately to enable fair
comparison of all applications.
The successful applicant will be notified by Thursday 29th March
2018
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